Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the traditional new year's auction.
Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."
This most recent acquisition tops his previous notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to surpass his own record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country.
The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.
